Headborne Integration System

ABSTRACT

An attachment platform for attachment to a helmet having at least four suspension mounting holes, includes a front section, a left side section, and a right side section. A plurality of primary fasteners are provided for mounting in the four suspension mounting holes of the helmet. The front section of the platform is securable alone to the helmet, by a first two of the primary fasteners extending into a first two of the mounting holes of the helmet. The front section and the side sections of the platform are securable together to the helmet, by the first two of the primary fasteners extending into the first two mounting holes of the helmet and by a second two of the primary fasteners extending into the second two mounting holes of the helmet. A novel mandible and face shield with attachment stems are provided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/969,335, filed Aug. 31, 2007, and claims the benefitof said application, and incorporates by reference the entire disclosureof said Application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Military personnel often need to carry items of equipment on theirhelmets. Such items may include night vision goggles, headlamps,communications equipment, etc. The helmets typically have a few mountingopenings for supporting such items. This arrangement, however, does notlend itself to the user's being able to accommodate a large number ofitems mounted at different locations on the helmet, and to customize themounting locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a military helmet with which theintegration system of the present invention can be used;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front section of one embodiment of anattachment platform that forms part of the integration system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the front platform sectionmounted on the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a side section of the attachmentplatform;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the side platform section andan opposite side platform section mounted on the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing both side platform sectionsand the front platform section mounted on the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the platform of FIG. 6 supporting aface shield and a picatinny rail that are part of the integrationsystem;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view showing the platform of FIG. 6supporting a face shield and a mandible that are part of the integrationsystem;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic sectional views showing a press fit nutattachment system that is part of the integration system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a front platform section including amatrix of nuts, part of the press fit nut attachment system of FIGS. 9and 10;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating attachment and removal of the face shieldfrom the platform;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating attachment and removal of the mandiblefrom the platform; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of one example of a one-handedrelease mechanism for the mandible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a headborne integration system. Theinvention is applicable to headborne integration systems of variousdiffering constructions and configurations. As representative of theinvention, FIGS. 2-14 illustrate a headborne integration system 10 thatis a first embodiment of the invention, including an attachment platform12 (FIG. 6) illustrated in use with a helmet 13 (FIG. 1). The system 10also includes other components, such as a face shield 20 and a mandible22 (FIG. 8), and possibly others. Other systems and platforms inaccordance with the invention may include different components ordifferent combinations of components.

The attachment platform 12 (FIG. 6) is a three piece structure thatincludes a front platform section 14, a left platform section 16, and aright platform section 18. The left and right platform sections 16 and18, as illustrated, are substantially if not completely mirror images ofeach other. In other embodiments, that need not be the case.

The platform 12 (FIGS. 2-6) is modular, providing the capability ofadding or removing sections depending on mission specific needs. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3, the front section 14 can be used alone withthe helmet 13. As shown in FIG. 5, the side sections 16 and 18 can beused alone. And, as shown in FIG. 6, all three sections 14-18 can beattached to the helmet 13 at one time. These configurations can all beprovided with the use of only a screwdriver, as discussed below.

The three platform sections 14-18 are preferably made from a strong butlightweight plastic, such as polycarbonate or another suitable material.The color of the platform sections is preferably selected to match boththe Woodland and the Desert versions of the US Military camouflagehelmet covers.

Existing military helmets, such as the LWH helmet and the ACH/MICHhelmet, have suspension mounting holes at several locations. Theplatform 12 is adapted to be mounted on either the LWH or the ACH/MICHhelmet, using the suspension mounting holes, as described below.

The LWH helmet is shown in the drawings, and has suspension mountingholes 30, 32, 34 and 36 on the sides, and one or more NVG mounting holes38 on the front. The ACH/MICH helmet (not shown) is similarly providedwith mounting holes at different locations into which a differentattachment platform 12 can be secured.

The front platform section 14 (FIG. 2) includes two arms 52 that aredisposed at the back and sides of the section. Each arm 52 has afastener opening 54 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a throughhole in the material of the platform section adapted to receive theshank of a primary mounting screw 40. The end portion 56 of the arm 52,having the fastener opening 54, is offset outwardly from the plane ofthe arm, adjacent a shoulder 58. This offset allows for an arm of aplatform side section 16 or 18 to be introduced between the frontsection arm 52 and the helmet 13, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when theside section 16 or 18 is used along with the front section 14.Alternatively, if the platform front section 14 is used alone, theoffset portion 56 of the arm is pulled down tighter against the helmet13.

The attachment platform 12 makes use of the existing mounting holes30-38 on the helmet 13. The two fastener openings 54 in the platformsection 14 overlie two of the holes 30 and 32 in the helmet 13. As shownin FIG. 3, fasteners in the form of primary mounting screws 40 areplaced through the fastener openings 54 in the platform section 14, andengage in the mounting holes 30 and 32 in the helmet 13. One preferredtype of fastener 40 is a ⅝ inch, 10-32 large-bearing-surface screw.

The fasteners 40 could include tamper proof features, if desired. Usingthe existing helmet holes provides structural support for the platform12, on the helmet 13, without adding unnecessary weight of othercomponents. As shown in the drawings, the platform 12 mounts directlyonto the helmet 13. Alternatively, the platform 12 can be mounted (notshown) over a fabric helmet cover of the type that is often worndirectly on the helmet itself.

The front platform section 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3) has a portion 42 defininga pocket or recess 44 for receiving night vision goggles (NVG) 46. Thisportion 44 includes features specially adapted to receive and supportknown NVG systems. A fastener opening 47 receives another one of thefasteners 40, into the front helmet mounting hole 38, to help secure thefront platform section 14 to the helmet 13. Inside the pocket 44 is aseparate recess 46 that is adapted to receive a name/rank plate.

The pocket 44 may incorporate a slot 45 to affix an off the shelf light,or headlamp, if desired. As one example, the pocket 44 may thus beconfigured to accommodate the popular Petzl Tactikka Plus Adaptheadlamp. Different headlamps can be accommodated by using differentmounting attachments (plates) fixed to the center section 14 of theplatform 12.

Above the NVG pocket 44 is a loop 49. This loop 49 is adapted to receivea strap (not shown) that would extend up and back over the helmet 13, tothe rear edge of the helmet. Such a strap can be used for securing otheritems to the helmet 13.

The front platform section 14 also includes, to either side of the NVGmounting portion 42, a pair of openings 50. These openings 50 can beused to support other items that are appropriate for the front of ahelmet, such as a light, etc. The items can be clipped onto or otherwisesecured to the helmet platform 12 at these locations 50. Alternatively,separate adapters (not shown) can be provided that are speciallyconfigured to fit securely in the openings 50, and that are speciallyconfigured to receive and support one or more items. Further, theseopenings 50 can be left open, thus reducing the weight of the frontplatform section 14 as compared to a solid front section. Still further,these openings 50 can be closed, leaving a solid area suitable formounting additional items, for example in the manner described belowwith reference to FIG. 11.

The left platform section 16, or left side section, which in theillustrated embodiment is a mirror image of the right platform section18, is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The left section 16 has agenerally triangular configuration overall, including a top leg 60; aback leg 62 that extends down and forward from the back end of the topleg 60; and a front leg 64 that extends down and rearward from the frontend of the top leg 60. Other configurations are possible.

When the side section 16 is mounted on the helmet 13, the top leg 60 ofthe side section 16 extends along the lower side edge 66 (FIG. 1) of thehelmet, over the portion of the helmet that covers the user's ear. Thefront leg 64 and the back leg 62 extend outward away from the user'sear.

Fastener openings 68 and 70 (FIG. 4) are located at opposite ends of thetop leg 60. The fastener openings 68 and 70, in the illustratedembodiment, are through holes adapted to receive fasteners 40. Thedistance between the fastener openings 68 and 70 is selected to be thesame as the distance between the mounting holes 32 and 36 on the leftside of the helmet 13. As a result, the left side section 16 is adaptedto fit directly onto the helmet 13. Fasteners 40 extend through thefastener openings 68 and 70 into the holes 32 and 36.

The front leg 64 includes two stem receptacles 72 and 74. The upperreceptacle 72 is a face shield stem receptacle. The lower receptacle 74is a mandible stem receptacle. The receptacles 72 and 74 extendgenerally horizontally, front to back, when the platform side section 16is mounted on the helmet 13 and the helmet is in use. Each receptacle 72or 74 preferably includes at least one notch or detent 76 for engaging,as described below, a portion of a stem that is received in thereceptacle 72 or 74.

The receptacles 72 and 74 are located adjacent to the user's ear whenthe helmet 13 is in use. The ears typically are about at the center ofgravity of the head. Thus, the weight of the face shield 20 and of themandible 22 are supported at about the center of gravity of the head, asdesirable.

Like the front platform section 14, the side platform section 16provides an area on the platform 12 for mounting helmet accessories anditems. These items can be mounted in many different areas on the sidesection 16. In this case, one mounting area is located on the top leg 60of the side section 16. One type of item that can be installed is auniversal mounting item such as a picatinny rail 80 (FIG. 5). Thepicatinny rail 80 is one attachment item capable of holding other itemsthat mount onto such a rail. The rail 80 can be attached to the leftplatform section 16 as shown, or, alternatively, to the right section18.

The mounting of the rail 80 to the platform top leg 60 is done with apress fit nut attachment system as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Thesystem includes a plurality of nuts 84 that are press fit into thematerial of a section 14, 16 or 18 of a platform 12.

The nuts 84 are preferably located in recesses 86 in the back side orinside surface 88 (facing the helmet) of the platform 12. At each recess86, a through hole 91 extends between the outer surface 93 of theplatform and the recess 86. The through hole 91 enables a headedthreaded fastener 95 to extend from outside the platform 12, and screwinto the nut 84, through the item and through the platform 12, to clampan item to the platform 12.

The recesses 86 are preferably complementary in configuration to thenuts 84. For example, the nuts 84 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are hexagonal,as are the recesses 86. As a result, when the nuts 84 are press fit inthe recesses 86, they are prevented from rotating relative to theplatform 12.

Recesses 86 and nuts 84 can be located at various places on the platform12. They can be located at predetermined places for mounting specificitems in those specific places, as with the example of the picatinnyrail 80. Alternatively, as shown schematically in FIG. 11, a number ofthe press fit nuts 84 can be located in a matrix 90 in a platformsection, such as the section 14. This allows the user to customize wherethe user wants to mount an item on the platform 12; the user is notrestricted to placing a given item in a given location on the platformsection. Still further, the material of the platform can be molded toaccommodate user-specific locations of press fit nuts. In one example,one or more parts or areas of the platform can be provided with aplurality or matrix of closed cell locations which the user can pop outto accommodate one of the press fit nuts. In this manner, the user canselectively place an item in a location not specifically provided forduring manufacture of the platform.

Other possible items (not shown) that can be supported by this press fitnut attachment system include an annular socket for receiving a lens capof a night vision goggle, so that, it does not have to dangle from theNVG. Another example is a simple pocket or receptacle to provide alocation to clip lights, cameras or other components to the platform 12.A third example is the picatinny rail 80. Almost any item can besupported thus, at any selected location in the platform sections 14, 16and 18.

The face shield 20 (FIGS. 7, 8 and 12), which is part of the system 10,includes a frame 92 and a lens 94. The frame 92 has a configuration thatconforms to the edge of the LWH and ACH/MICH helmets, to prevent waterfrom hitting the wearer's face. The frame 92 also has a portion thatprevents water from dripping onto the inside surface of the shield. Theframe 92 is large enough to accommodate ESS-brand InterchangeableComponent Eyeshield (ICE) 2× spectacles. The frame 92 does not interferewith the sighting of a rifle having a reflex optic.

The face shield 20 may have a 3 mm thick polycarbonate lens 94 to meetthe ballistic requirement of MIL-V-4311C, Clause 3.5.10. The face shield20 weighs 0.3 pounds and is able to withstand the impact of a 17-gramFragment-Simulating Projectile (FSP) at a speed much greater than the550-ft/sec requirement. The thickness of the lens 94, and its curvature,do not adversely affect outward vision. The lens 94 is preferably coatedwith an anti-fogging and scratch-resistant film.

The face shield 20 is releasably attached (locked) to the platform 12.The frame 92 of the face shield 20 includes two rearwardly projectingtemples, or stems 96. The stems 96 are configured to releasably,lockingly engage in the face shield receptacles 72 in the side sections16 and 18 of the platform 12. A simple detent mechanism such as a ballor enlarged portion engagable in a recess is provided between the stems96 and the receptacles 72. The user plugs the stems 96 into thereceptacles 72, and the face shield 20 latches onto the platform 12. Toremove the face shield 20, the user pulls outward with sufficient force,and the face shield releases from the platform 12. The retention forcecan be selected as desired; it need not be the same as the retentionforce for the mandible 22. Other attachment mechanisms are possible.

The mandible 22 (FIGS. 8 and 13), which is part of the system 10, is ahybrid soft-armor device including a rigid endoskeleton (frame) 100 thatis designed to provide both structural (blunt impact) and ballisticprotection. The frame 100 has stems 101 for mounting to the platform 12.

The mandible 22 incorporates hybrid soft armor 102 in some locations onthe frame 100 to provide ballistic protection while allowing sighting ofa rifle without inhibiting target acquisition time. The soft armor 102is located on the portions of the frame 100 where the soldier can beexpected to shoulder a rifle, the user's sighting side. To that end, theframe 100 is open at a pocket 104 on at least that one side, the user'ssighting side. The soft armor 102 is releasably (or permanently) mountedin the pocket 104. The presence of the soft armor portion 102 enablessighting of the rifle, while still providing ballistic protection.

If the mandible frame 100 is made symmetrical, there is a similar pocket104 on the opposite side of the frame. In this pocket 104, the user caninsert or attach a supplementary piece of the hard frame material, toclose that soft spot and provide additional or full protection.

The mandible 22 is preferably color-matched to the platform 12, and hasroom inside it to accommodate voice communication devices, fluidreplenishment through a hydration pack nozzle, and adequate aircirculation for comfort. The illustrated mandible 22 weighs about 0.78pounds and meets ballistic protection requirements.

The attachment method of the mandible 22 to the platform 12 may besimilar to that of the face shield 20. The mandible 22 may have a seconddetent position, in which the mandible is slid out slightly from theplatform side sections 16 and 18, to allow more room for air circulationin a non-combat situation.

The mandible 22 is preferably installed and removed with one hand. Thus,a single switch or release lever or mechanism is provided, operable byone hand, to release the locks on both sides of the mandible 22 that is,between both stems 101 and their respective mandible receptacles 74.

FIG. 14 illustrates schematically one exemplary locking/releasemechanism 110 that provides the functions and characteristics needed.(The illustrated mechanism is only one of many that may be suitable;others that provide for one-handed operation, simultaneously releasingboth stems 101, may also be used.) At the two ends of the mechanism 110are the stems 101 of the mandible 22. Each stem 101 includes a balldetent 112 that can either be located radially outward, as shown, or bemoved radially inward into a recess in a socket member 114 of the stem.

When the parts are in the position shown, the ball 112 protrudesoutward, engaging the detent or notch 76 (FIG. 4) or other structure onthe receptacle 74 of the platform side section 16 or 18. If the userpushes on an actuator 114, for example with the thumb, in the directionindicated by the arrow 116, while pressing in an opposite direction 118with fingers as shown, the actuator 114 rotates two gears 120, thatrotate two pulleys 122. The pulleys 122 pull on two cables 124, pullingthe socket members 114 to a position in which the balls 112 can moveradially inward. Thus, the stems 101 can be released from thereceptacles 74 in the platform 12.

1. An attachment platform for attachment to a helmet having at leastfour suspension mounting holes, the platform comprising: a frontsection; a left side section; a right side section that is substantiallya mirror image of the left side section; and a plurality of primaryfasteners for mounting in the four suspension mounting holes of thehelmet; the front section of the platform being securable alone to thehelmet, by a first two of the primary fasteners extending into a firsttwo of the mounting holes of the helmet; the front section and the sidesections of the platform being securable together to the helmet, by thefirst two of the primary fasteners extending into the first two mountingholes of the helmet and by a second two of the primary fastenersextending into the second two mounting holes of the helmet.
 2. Apparatusas set forth in claim 1 wherein the front platform section includes aportion configured for mounting night vision goggles.
 3. Apparatus asset forth in claim 2 having a recess within the goggles portion forreceiving a name/rank plate.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein each one of the left and right side platform sections hasreceptacles for releasably receiving stems of a mandible.
 5. Apparatusas set forth in claim 4 further including a mandible having stems forreleasable locking connection with the left and right side sections ofthe platform, the mandible having a rigid frame and having a softportion of ballistic material for enabling sighting of a long arm with atelescopic sight.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each oneof the left and right side sections has receptacles for releasablyreceiving supporting arms of a face shield.
 7. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 6 wherein each one of the left and right side sections hasreceptacles for releasably lockably receiving supporting arms of amandible and a face shield.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 whereinat least one of the sections releasably supports a picatinny rail. 9.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the helmet is an LWH helmet oran ACH/MICH helmet.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 furtherincluding a plurality of nuts press fit in recesses in the platformsections for supporting items on the helmet.
 11. Apparatus for attachinga plurality of different items to a helmet, comprising: an attachmentplatform for supporting the plurality of different items and that can besecured to the helmet by a first plurality of fasteners; a plurality ofnuts on the platform; and a second plurality of fasteners extendablethrough fastener openings in the items into threaded engagement with thenuts, thereby to attach the items to the helmet.
 12. Apparatus as setforth in claim 11 wherein the platform has an outer surface and an innersurface, the plurality of nuts on the platform are fitted into recessesformed on the inner surface of the platform, and the platform hasthrough holes extending between the recesses and the platform outersurface for receiving the second plurality of fasteners.
 13. Apparatusas set forth in claim 12 wherein the recesses have non-circular shapesthat are complementary to the shapes of the nuts thereby to preventrotation of the nuts in the recesses.
 14. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 12 wherein the nuts are press fit in the recesses.
 15. Apparatusas set forth in claim 11 wherein the nuts are press fit in the platform.16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the platform is a threepiece platform including a front section and separate left and rightside sections, and wherein the nuts are press fit in one or more of theplatform sections.
 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein: theattachment platform is a three piece platform including a front sectionand separate left and right side sections; the platform has an outersurface and an inner surface, the plurality of nuts on the platform arefitted into recesses formed on the inner surface of one or more sectionsof the platform, and the platform has through holes extending betweenthe recesses and the platform outer surface for receiving the secondplurality of fasteners; the recesses have non-circular shapes that arecomplementary to the shapes of the nuts thereby to prevent rotation ofthe nuts in the recesses; and the nuts are press fit in the recesses inthe platform.
 18. Apparatus comprising a mandible for attachment to ahelmet, the mandible comprising: a hard structural frame having apocket, and a soft ballistic textile panel in a pocket of the frame, theplacement of the pocket being selected to allow the sighting of a riflewithout inhibiting target acquisition time.
 19. Apparatus as set forthin claim 18 further comprising additional structural material separatefrom the mandible and adapted to be secured in the pocket of the frameto provide additional user protection.
 20. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 18 further comprising an attachment platform for attaching themandible to the helmet, the attachment platform having left and rightmandible receptacles, the mandible having left and right stems that pluginto the left and right mandible receptacles, respectively, of theattachment platform, to releasably lock the mandible onto the platform.21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein the stems and thereceptacles cooperate to provide at least two positions of lockingengagement of the mandible on the platform.
 22. Apparatus as set forthin claim 21 wherein the mandible is releasable from the platform using aone-hand operation.
 23. Apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein themandible has a switch for actuating a release mechanism forsimultaneously releasing both stems from locking engagement with thereceptacles to enable removal of the mandible from the platform. 24.Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein the left and right mandiblereceptacles are on left and right side sections, respectively, of theattachment platform, at positions selected to be adjacent to a user'sear when the helmet is being worn by a user.
 25. Apparatus forsupporting a plurality of different user items at different locations ona military helmet having suspension mounting holes, comprising: aplatform having at least two fastener openings for receiving primaryfasteners for engaging in the suspension mounting holes of the helmetthereby to fasten the platform to the helmet; the platform having atleast two spaced apart platform portions adapted to receive and supportat least two different user items at spaced apart locations on theplatform and on the helmet.
 26. Apparatus as set forth in claim 25wherein a first one of the platform portions is a night vision gogglemounting portion of the platform, and a second one of the platformportions has at least two press fit nuts for supporting a second item,different from the night vision goggles, on the second platform portion.27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein a first one of theplatform portions has at least two press fit nuts for supporting a firstitem on the first platform portion. and a second one of the platformportions has at least two press fit nuts for supporting a second item,different from the first item, on the second platform portion. 28.Apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein the platform includes a frontsection, a left side section, and a right side section that issubstantially a mirror image of the left side section, the front sectionof the platform being securable alone to the helmet, by fastenersengaging in two of the suspension mounting holes of the helmet, and thefront section and the side sections of the platform being securabletogether to the helmet by fasteners engaging in four of the suspensionmounting holes of the helmet.